All-American Jore Volk looking for quick start in Thursday's rematch with Campbell on UFC FIGHT PASS: 'We've got to be ready to go'
Wyoming standout hopes to set tone for 2024-25 NCAA Division I wrestling season at CFFC Match Day's "Dual at the Daddy."
Returning All-American Jore Volk is looking for a quick start to his 2024-25 NCAA Division I wrestling season at Thursday's CFFC Match Day event. But with Campbell University serving as the opponent for "Dual at the Daddy" on UFC FIGHT PASS from Cheyenne's historic Frontier Park, revenge is certainly on the mind, as well.
After claiming an individual win at last year's CFFC Match Day event, Volk went on to place seventh at the 2024 NCAA Championships, capping off a 27-8 sophomore season. Volk now hopes to build on last year's success by winning the entire tournament this time around. With a long way to go until March's championship in Philadelphia, Volk hopes to first kick off this season with another win and lead his team to redemption from last year's battle with the Fighting Camels.
With Wyoming and Cambell granted a special waiver to compete one day before the rest of the nation, the dual marks the official start of the college wrestling season. Knowing all eyes will be on this CFFC Match Day event only further motivates Volk.
"Getting to be that first one, there'll be people watching all over the world," Volk said. "College fans are ready for the season to get going, and it's exciting that we get to kick it off."
Despite Volk winning his match against Campbell University's Anthony Molton last season at CFFC Match Day, the Cowboys came up short in the team dual. Presumably rematching Molton at "Dual at the Daddy," Volk is extremely excited to have another chance to compete on such a massive stage. With "Battle at the Barn" being such a huge success, the Cowboys are certainly eager for another opportunity to show off on a special platform.
"It was a super awesome event," Volk said. "People watching from all over the world. People commenting on Instagram and Twitter: 'This is awesome.' Guys wrestling in a barn out in Wyoming in the middle of nowhere, it was a really really cool event. I'm excited this year. It'll just be an awesome atmosphere. I'm really excited for it"
Many college students might shudder at the thought of competing on a platform as massive as UFC FIGHT PASS. Oppositely, Volk said he thrives in the pressure of performing in front of so many eyes. Knowing that new fans from across the world will be watching him compete for the first time has given Volk extra motivation while preparing for the huge match.
"The more people that are watching, I get nervous," Volk admitted. "But I like getting nervous, and it makes me more excited. It gets me fired up to go knowing that there's tons of people watching."
Aside from the unique platform and opportunity presented to the athletes, the CFFC Match Day format is also something that resonates with the wrestlers. Volk is hopeful that the Match Day experience can continue to be a recurring event for his program. Not only did the entire team have extra motivation for the opportunity, but it was considered to be a success by the fans, the athletes, and the promoters. As exciting as it is to open the season with such a big event, what comes to follow for the rest of the wrestling season might feel somewhat lackluster in comparison.
"Our home matches are fun, but nowhere near as fun as CFFC Match Day," Volk said. "This one will be fun, just like it was last year. Hopefully we do something like this every single year.
"We've got to be ready to go on Thursday. There's going to be people watching from all over, across the world. This event is going to bring in people that normally wouldn't watch. It's a great opportunity for college wrestling to bring in more fans and more people watching. It's just going to help the sport in the long run."
It's always important to start the season off on the right foot, but aside from a win, there is much more at stake when Campbell University comes to Wyoming on Halloween. When the world is watching, Wyoming intends to compete with ferocity, especially with revenge from last year on the mind.
"It's kind of on us to defend that," Volk declared. "We don't want to let these guys come in and beat us in our own home territory."
